| Royal Classics |  |
| Disc No: ROY6471 | |
| Price: Sek. 51 |
The importance of the Russian school of pianists cannot be over-estimated. Through a whole host of recent keyboard magicians, the line may be traced back through Emil Gilels and Sviatoslav Richter to Sergey Rachmaninov, one of the most phenomenal pianists in musical history. He made some recordings which serve to show his genius, and he also left a large body of compositions. Those for piano remain to test today's pianists such as Andrei Gavrilov. After graduation from Moscow Conservatory in 1892 with the highest marks and a Great Gold Medal (only the third to be bestowed by the Conservatory), Rachmaninov began composing in earnest since he had found a helpful publisher. The famous Prelude in C sharp minor (not on this disc) brought him fame, and the Elegie Op 3 No 1 was published as part of the same set. The Preludes of the Op 23 set appeared in 1903, Op 32 seven years later. They show an amazing variety of mood and tempo, while the two Etudes-tableau of 1917 are masculine and virtuosic. A distinct note of individuality, often missing in his earlier works, is evident in the Moments musicaux of 1896. Their romantic character hints at great things to come. Tchaikovsky was also a pianist but was, and is, much better known as a composer. Shortly after completing his opera 'The Snow Maiden' he wrote the Six morecaux Op 19 for piano, and the substantial set of variations heard here is the last piece in the set. Something of Liszt's influence may be felt in Balakirev's Islamey, an oriental fantasy in which Eastern and Western cultures meet on happy terms. Balakirev was not the most sophisticated of men in his dealings with others, but Islainey proves that his musical qualities compare well with those of his friend Tchaikovsky. Robert Dearling. Discontinued |
| Name: Rachmaninov Préludes | |
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| Composer | Opus | Produced | Music | Key | Performer |
| Balakirev, Mili Alexeyevich | 1978 | Islamey | Andrei Gravrilov, Piano | ||
| Rachmaninov, Sergei | Op.16 no.3-6 | 1984 | Moments musicaux | ||
| Rachmaninov, Sergei | Op.23 no.1,2,5,6 | 1984 | Prélude | ||
| Rachmaninov, Sergei | Op.3 no.1 | 1984 | Elegie | ||
| Rachmaninov, Sergei | Op.32 no.12 | 1984 | Prélude | ||
| Rachmaninov, Sergei | Op.39 no.3,5 | 1984 | Etude - tableau | ||
| Tchaikovsky, Peter | Op.19 no.6 | 1978 | Thema & variations |